Michael Hobbs, a partner with Troutman Pepper Locke, was quoted in the January 2, 2026 Law360 article, “Copyright & Trademark Policy and Trends to Watch in 2026.”
“The Copyright Office doesn’t get involved in litigation [and] they don’t get involved in [making the] law, but they are an administrative arm that does have probably a little bit of sway in terms of whether you get a copyright registration or not,” Hobbs said.
…
Congress hasn’t voted on the bill in previous sessions despite this support. But Michael Hobbs of Troutman Pepper Locke told Law360 that with next year being an election year, lawmakers might actually want to address deepfakes.
“If third parties are creating this [material], and it becomes an issue in a political race, I think that is going to get a ton of attention from politicians,” Hobbs said.
…
While much of the USPTO leadership’s scrutiny has been focused on the patent side of the agency and the impact on the trademark side seems to be comparably limited — the Trump administration hasn’t ended the collective bargaining rights of the union for trademark examining attorneys, for instance — Hobbs said he’s concerned that the upheaval will lead to attrition.
“I think the concern as a practitioner is that you are going to lose a lot of really talented” staff, he said.
WASHINGTON – The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Federal Housing Administration (FHA) released its fiscal year (FY) 2025 annual report covering the financial status of the FHA Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund and its Single Family mortgage insurance programs. FHA supported a pathway to homeownership for more than 876,000 Americans in FY 2025 while maintaining solid financial performance of the MMI Fund and eliminating significant bureaucratic red tape in its Single Family programs.
“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, HUD is improving housing affordability and helping hardworking Americans achieve the dream of homeownership — FHA plays a central role in advancing both of these priorities,” said Secretary Turner. “As this report demonstrates, we are prioritizing sound stewardship, cutting bureaucratic red tape, and ensuring the stability and strong financial footing of the MMI fund for the benefit of homeowners today and tomorrow.”
“Under the leadership of HUD Secretary Turner, FHA’s Single Family program has reduced costs for lenders and borrowers, protected American taxpayers from risk, and served as a vital financing source for Americans pursuing the dream of homeownership,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for HUD’s Office of Housing and FHA Frank Cassidy. “Our work to build a more efficient and effective FHA program underscores this administration’s commitment of increasing housing supply and improving housing affordability.”
The MMI Fund supports FHA’s Single Family mortgage insurance programs, including all forward mortgage purchase and refinance transactions, as well as mortgages insured since 2009 under the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) reverse mortgage program. The FY25 report illustrates the MMI Fund had an overall Capital Ratio of 11.47 percent as of September 30, 2025, more than five times the Congressionally mandated 2.0 percent capital ratio. MMI Fund Capital stood at $188.9 billion as of September 30, 2025.
Key Facts from FHA’s FY 2025 MMI Fund Annual Report
Independent Actuary
IT Data Consulting (ITDC) served as the independent actuary for FHA in FY25. By serving as a critical check on the results, an independent actuarial review remains an integral part of the Annual Report process. ITDC’s independent actuarial review reports for forward mortgages and HECMs confirm that the estimates used in the FY 2025 Annual Report to calculate the capital ratio are reasonable. The reports are available on HUD.gov.
Follow @HUDgov on X, FB, and Instagram.
HUD.gov
Responsibility for residential blue and black bin collection and processing was transferred to Circular Materials on January 1, 2026. Their contractor, Miller Waste will be collecting your blue and black bins starting today. This transition is due to regulations from the Government of Ontario.
The City continues to manage garbage, green bin and leaf and yard waste collection.
The collection schedule for blue and black bins, garbage and leaf and yard waste is not changing.
We are aware of a schedule discrepancy between the City’s collection calendar and the Circular Materials app affecting some parts of the city. The City’s collection calendar reflects the correct schedule. Circular Materials is working to correct the calendar in their app as soon as possible.
You can view your City of Ottawa collection calendar, which includes green bin and garbage collection, and Circular Materials’ recycling collection information as well and sign up for reminders at ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar.
As part of this new recycling system, you can now recycle more, including:
For more information about the new recycling system including a full list of items that can be recycled visit the Circular Materials website.
Contact Miller Waste directly at 1-888-852-2374 or area2@millerwaste.ca for questions related to:
For any other recycling related questions, contact Circular Materials at customerservice@circularmaterials.ca or 1-877-667-2626.
The City continues to manage garbage, green bin and leaf and yard waste collection. You can continue to contact the City for garbage and organic waste collection services, such as a missed collection.
You can stay up to date on your waste collection by downloading the free Ottawa Collection Calendar app or signing up for email or phone reminders at ottawa.ca/CollectionCalendar, following us on social media or subscribing to the City news or Waste Plan newsletters.
The City of Ottawa’s Waste Explorer will continue to list recycling materials. When in doubt, search ottawa.ca/WasteExplorer.
Happy Friday and Happy New Year! We’re proud of all we’ve accomplished in 2025, and we’re looking forward to continuing to serve you in 2026.
The holiday season may mostly be over, but this weekend you have one last chance this year to ride one of Transit Museum’s holiday nostalgia rides, running between 2 Av on the and 96 St on the . It’s also not too late to visit the holiday train show at Grand Central, which is open until February.
Here’s what else is happening this weekend (also viewable as a map):
For more details, keep on scrolling. We’ve also got travel alternatives for stations that will be closed or skipped.
And don’t forget to sign up for the MTA Weekender newsletter sent every Friday. You’ll get these service changes directly in your inbox, with more than enough time to plan your weekend travel.
Sign up for the Weekender!
From 11:30 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday:
This is because of structural maintenance.
From 11:45 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday:
This is because of track replacement.
Coney Island-bound trains are running on the from 36 St to Coney Island-Stillwell Av from 11:45 p.m. Friday to 10 p.m. Sunday because of track maintenance.
trains aren’t running between Bedford-Nostrand Avs and Church Av in either direction from 9:30 p.m. Friday to 5 a.m. Monday because of signal modernization.
Manhattan-bound trains are running nonstop from Myrtle Av to Marcy Av from 3:45 a.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Sunday because of structural maintenance.
Manhattan-bound trains are running nonstop from Burnside Av to 149 St-Grand Concourse from 3:45 a.m. Saturday to 10 p.m. Sunday because of track replacement.
Flushing-bound trains are running express from 74 St-Broadway to Mets-Willets Point from 11:45 p.m. Friday to 3 a.m. Monday because of station work.
These service changes are subject to change, so check the MTA homepage before heading out; it’s where you’ll find up-to-the-minute information on subway, bus, and rail service.
Our apps—MTA and TrainTime—also provide real-time service information. You can also contact us in real time for help planning your trip.
See how to contact us.
Saks Global Enterprises, which operates Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, said Friday its CEO Marc Metrick stepped down, effective immediately
NEW YORK — The top executive of the private company that owns Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus is stepping down as it struggles with debt taken on to buy a rival almost two years ago.
Saks Global Enterprises said Friday that the departure of CEO Marc Metrick is effective immediately, and that he will be replaced by Executive Chairman Richard Baker. Baker will continue to serve as executive chairman.
In addition to debt from Saks’ $2.65 billion acquisition of Neiman Marcus in the summer of 2024, the company is facing increasing competition from a fragmenting luxury goods sector.
Hudson’s Bay Co., the Canadian owner of Saks Fifth Avenue, split off the luxury retailer’s e-commerce business, Saks.com in 2021. After acquiring Neiman Marcus three years later, Saks Fifth Avenue changed its name to Saks Global.
Saks Global, based in New York City, completed a $600 million notes offering in August in an effort to bolster its liquidity following the Neiman Marcus acquisition.
The company is trying to winnow down its heavy debt load with global sales of luxury goods that are expected to contract for the second straight year in 2026. Wealthier customers have rebelled against extravagant price hikes on goods that haven’t drummed up much excitement, in addition to growing anxiety about the global economy, according to a new study by Bain & Co. consultancy released in November.
Metrick joined Saks Fifth Avenue in 1995 and held a variety of positions at Saks and Hudson’s Bay. He was named CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue in 2021 and CEO of Saks Global in 2024.
The company said Friday that he is stepping down to pursue new opportunities.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for January 2026, which are effective Jan. 1, 2026. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.
Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans
FSA offers farm operating, ownership and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation.
Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for January 2026 are as follows:
FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders. To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.
Commodity and Storage Facility Loans
Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low. Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.
More Information
To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Additionally, producers can use online tools, such as the Loan Assistance Tool and Debt Consolidation Tool to explore loan options.
Hawarden Regional Healthcare enters into a Partner in Health agreement with Avera effective Jan. 1, 2026.
This follows a letter of intent that was signed in October to explore and evaluate the potential partnership. Previously, Hawarden Regional Healthcare was affiliated with MercyOne health system.
Hawarden Regional Healthcare will remain owned by the city of Hawarden with local board control. Hawarden Regional Healthcare, a critical access hospital, and its clinics in Hawarden, Ireton and Akron will operate under the same name as in the past, “an Avera Partner” will appear on signage after the agreement takes effect.
Affiliation with Avera means that Avera will provide support in areas such as recruitment and retention of physicians and medical professionals, access to telemedicine and information technology.
“The mission of Hawarden Regional Healthcare is to provide the highest quality health care to the people and communities we serve. Avera has a similar mission and a long history of successful partnerships with rural community hospitals,” said Jayson Pullman, Chief Executive Officer of Hawarden Regional Healthcare. “We are looking forward to the ways in which an Avera relationship will add value to Hawarden, assisting us to provide even better care to our patients, maintaining a high level of satisfaction with employees, and attracting and retaining quality providers.”
Avera Health covers a geographic footprint of 72,000 square miles with 315 locations in 100 communities across five states in the Upper Midwest. That includes eight affiliated hospital campuses in Iowa. Avera has different levels of partnerships with community hospitals, depending on their need, ranging from ownership to lease agreements to Partner in Health agreements.
“Hawarden Regional Healthcare has a long history of providing quality health care to residents of the region, with a robust range of services that allow patients to stay close to home,” said Regional President and CEO of Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center, Dr. Ron Place. “We’re proud to welcome Hawarden to the Avera family and look forward to working together to have a positive impact in the lives and health of persons and communities in northwest Iowa.”
What:
The U.S. Postal Service is honoring Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784), the first author of African descent in the American Colonies to publish a book, with the 49th stamp in the Black Heritage series.
The first-day-of-issue event for the Phillis Wheatley Black Heritage stamp is free and open to the public. News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtag #BlackHeritageStamp.
When:
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at 11 a.m. EST
Where:
Old South Meeting House
310 Washington St.
Boston, MA 02108
RSVP:
Attendees are encouraged to register at https://www.usps.com/philliswheatleystamp
Background:
Born in West Africa and brought to Boston on a slave ship, Phillis Wheatley was enslaved but educated in the Wheatley household. Wheatley published her first collection, “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral,” in 1773. This collection showcased her impressive mastery of various poetic forms, including hymns, elegies, and narrative verse, securing her place in history. Freed from slavery that same year, she went on to correspond with figures such as George Washington, who praised her poetic talent.
Wheatley’s legacy continues to inspire generations, earning her the title “the mother of African American literature.” Before the Civil War, abolitionists used her accomplishments to affirm the intellectual capability of people of African descent and argue against slavery. Today schools, libraries, community centers and university buildings across the country have been named for Wheatley, and she has been the subject of numerous inspirational books for children. In 2003, a statue of the poet was included in a new Boston Women’s Memorial. The first full-length scholarly biography of Wheatley was published in 2011, with a second biographical study published in 2023, part of an ongoing effort to recognize her resilience in adversity.
Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamp using an existing portrait by Kerry James Marshall.
The Phillis Wheatley stamp will be issued in panes of 20. As a Forever stamp, it will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail 1-ounce price.
Postal Products
Customers may purchase stamps and other philatelic products through The Postal Store at usps.com/shopstamps, by calling 844-737-7826, by mail through USA Philatelic or at Post Office locations nationwide. For officially licensed stamp products, shop the USPS Officially Licensed Collection on Amazon. Additional information on stamps, First Day of Issue Ceremonies and stamp inspired products can be found at StampsForever.com.
# # #